News Release

Friday, February 24, 2017

Investigators have learned more details surrounding the
officer-involved-shooting on February 7, 2017. Around 3:40 p.m.,
77th Street Gang Enforcement Detail Police Officer Gregory Sovick
and his partner saw a white Mercedes E350 in the area of Slauson
Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard. The vehicle fled northbound on the
110 Freeway and the officers initiated a pursuit when the driver,
Tyree Francis, did not stop. After exiting the freeway in downtown
Los Angeles, Francis drove through a parking gate arm and entered a
parking structure on Figueroa Street south of 8th Street. Francis
continued across a driveway and into a separate parking structure.
In the parking structure, an unidentified female exited the vehicle
and fled. She has not been identified. While in the south parking
structure, witnesses saw Francis throw a handgun from the
vehicle.

Officers began to establish a perimeter to contain Francis in the
area of the parking structure. Unbeknownst to officers at the
location, Francis had exited the parking structure. As Officer
Sovick and his partner were running east in the driveway of 845
South Figueroa, Francis, who had been driving north on Figueroa
Street, suddenly made a left turn into the driveway. Officer Sovick
was in the mouth of the driveway and as the vehicle traveled in his
direction, he fired one round at Francis, striking the windshield.
Francis was not struck and the pursuit continued.

Francis was taken into custody at the termination of the pursuit
after he collided with several vehicles causing one vehicle to roll
over, seriously injuring the driver. Detectives recovered a loaded
handgun from the area witnesses described to them.

The case was presented to the District Attorney's Office and
Francis was charged with two counts each of Assault with a Deadly
Weapon on a Police Officer, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and
Felony Reckless Driving, and one count each of Felon in possession
of a Firearm, Felony Hit and Run with Injuries, and Felony Hit and
Run with Property Damage.

**The following information is based on a
preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as
investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic
records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department's
understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as
additional evidence is collected and analyzed**

plates and attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle fled and a
short pursuit occurred prior to the vehicle escaping. On February
8, 2017, around 11:00 a.m., a "Shots Fired" radio call was
broadcast in 77th Street Area and the suspect vehicle was described
as a white Mercedes with paper platesOn February 8, 2017, around
3:40 p.m., a 77th Street GED unit saw a white Mercedes E350 with
paper plates northbound on the 110 Freeway. They attempted to stop
the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to stop and a vehicle pursuit
ensued.

The pursuit eventually continued off the freeway and into downtown
Los Angeles, where the vehicle entered a multi-level parking
structure south of 8th Street and west of Figueroa Street. 77th
Street GED officers, along with officers from Central Area and
Metropolitan Division, responded to the location and attempted to
establish a perimeter.

While an officer was on foot in a driveway mid-block on Figueroa St
south of 8th St., the suspect vehicle, driven by Tyree Francis,
accelerated in his direction. The officer fired one round at
Francis. Francis fled the scene in the vehicle. The pursuit
continued on surface streets and again on the 110 Freeway, before
terminating at 76th St. and Van Ness Ave., where Francis collided
with several other vehicles. He was taken into custody without
further incident.

No officers were injured during this incident. Francis had not been
shot. A firearm was recovered in the area of the officer involved
shooting. LAPD's specialized Force Investigation Division (FID)
responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and
collecting forensic evidence. The complete investigation will be
reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police
Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force complied
with LAPD's policies and procedures.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is urged
to call the LAPD at any of the following numbers:

• During business hours at (213) 486-5230;
• During non-business hours or on weekends at (877)-LAPD-24-7
(877-527-3247);
• Anonymously 24-hours a day to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS
(800-222-8477) or by texting "LAPD" and your tip to phone number
274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S); or
• Online at www.lapdonline.org and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.